To View the Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Nlnyct-wv6U
SHOW NOTES
Welcome to a new week of the Hope Rescue Podcast. Last week in episode 91 we discussed the difference between transparency and authenticity. This week we are answering the question, “Should Christians call out sin in others?” Are we responsible for exposing the sin or mistakes of other people? Keep reading or listening to find out!
Some may believe that to be transparent means to expose everything they know about everyone. Some believe that if they know a secret about someone else’s life, it is their responsibility to expose that secret to others. Tim explains that transparency for other people is not transparency. According to scripture, it’s actually morally wrong to expose other people’s sins.
If someone decides to tell us private and personal information about someone we know, we need to have the courage and integrity to stop them from sharing. When we lack the ability to self-regulate our conversations, they can quickly spiral into gossip.
What prevents people from being transparent with others?
1. Fear of rejection.
2. Pride or perfectionism.
3. Desire to conceal bad behavior.
4. Lack of trust due to previous breaches.
When we have bad behavior but we aren't willing to be authentically transparent about it, we stay stuck in the behavior. If you listened to last week’s episode, you know we are not saying to share your sins and mistakes with everyone, but to find a friend you can trust.
What are the benefits of being open about our sins and mistakes?
1. Being open about our mistakes creates reliability.
2. Being open about our mistakes makes us more relatable. When we pretend like our lives are perfect, it is difficult for others to relate to us.
3. Being open about our mistakes will encourage others who may have been previously intimidated by us.
Secrecy and isolation feed the life of addiction. Keeping secrets keeps us stuck. Not that we need to share our secrets with everyone, but it’s incredibly important to find a trusted friend we can share our darkest parts with. For many, this person is a spouse, but it could also be a pastor, a counselor, a mentor, or a close friend. It’s crucial that we remember, though, that other people’s stories are not ours to tell. It’s encouraged for us to expose our own mistakes or abuse, but it’s not our responsibility to expose it for other people.
First Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” Some may wonder, “How will others be kept accountable if we don’t expose their sins?” James 5:20 says, “...let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” The strategy of helping a sinner come back from the wandering is to cover the sin. Proverbs 10:12 says, "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” We all have weaknesses and struggles in our lives. We all have things from our pasts that we feel shameful or guilty about. If someone hates us, they will likely try to “stir up strife” by gossiping about our past mistakes, but if someone loves us they will cover our past offenses. Many may wonder, “If we cover the offenses of others, won’t that person just continue sinning?”
When we cover another person's sin, it doesn't mean we aren't holding that person accountable for what they've done. Covering the sin means that even after finding out about another person’s sin, we don’t run and tell others. The offender should always be in control of what is exposed about his or her life. Matthew 18:15-17 says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” If a person sins against us, it’s not our job to expose that sin to others. According to verse 15, we must approach that person alone and try to resolve the issue. Only when private confrontation of the offense has been exhausted do we move on to the next step.
When we have tried each step of reconciliation and the one who sinned against us still refuses to listen, we should treat him or her like a gentile and a tax collector. How should we treat gentiles and tax collectors? By loving them, caring about them, and allowing them to continue to hear and learn of the incredible power of God.
Tim wraps up the episode by quoting Galatians 6:1 which says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Restoration and reconciliation is always the goal when a person is caught in sin.
QUOTES
“Restoration and reconciliation is always the goal when a person is caught in sin.” -Tim
REFERENCED SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
James 5:20 “let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
Proverbs 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
